Best Landmarks in Paris

Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval Gothic cathedral known for its sculpted portals, stained-glass windows, and towers overlooking the Seine. It houses relics including the Crown of Thorns and a treasury of tapestries, icons, and liturgical art. Visitors can attend Mass, explore the nave and chapels, or view exhibits on its architecture and history.

The Louvre occupies a former royal residence along the Seine, displaying tens of thousands of artworks and artifacts spanning ancient civilizations to the 19th century. Its collection includes the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The museum's modern glass pyramid entrance, added in 1989, has become a landmark in its own right.

Standing at Place de l'Étoile, the Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought for France and shelters the tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath its sculpted arch. Visitors climb 284 steps to a rooftop terrace for panoramic views over the Champs-Élysées and the city. The monument also features sculpted groups on its facade and hosts guided tours, family-oriented activities, and workshops.

Place de la Concorde is a vast, open square at the foot of the Champs-Élysées, part of the Paris, Banks of the Seine UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its centerpiece is the ancient Egyptian Luxor Obelisk, flanked by ornate fountains and statues. The square offers wide views across the Seine and toward the Tuileries Garden, making it a notable stop for walking Paris's historic landmarks.

Climb 284 steps to the terrace of this national monument on Place de l'Étoile for panoramic night views over the Champs-Élysées and the illuminated city. The lift is currently under maintenance, so access is by stairs only. Tickets cost €22, free for under-26s.

The Eiffel Tower stays open into the evening, offering access to the 2nd floor and summit by elevator or stairs with typically shorter queues than daytime. Visitors can take in illuminated views over the Ville Lumière from the esplanade, 2nd floor (154m) or summit (276m). Restaurants and a champagne bar are available on-site for those wanting to extend the experience.

This is the entry point to the Eiffel Tower, where visitors can purchase tickets and access the first and second floors or the summit by elevator or stairs. Expect queues, especially in high season, though evening visits offer a calmer atmosphere. The site also includes restaurants, a champagne bar, and event spaces such as the Salle Gustave Eiffel.

The Eiffel Tower rises above Paris with a ground-level parvis, a 2nd floor at 154m and a summit at 276m, each offering different views of the city. Visitors can ascend by elevator or stairs, with tickets sold for various levels and combinations. Onsite dining includes the Madame Brasserie and a champagne bar, plus a boutique selling official souvenirs. Evening visits offer a quieter atmosphere with shorter queues.

A guided tour of the Eiffel Tower climbing 674 steps to the second floor with a small group (up to 20), with commentary on the tower's history and role in both World Wars. An elevator ride to the summit (3rd level) can be added for panoramic views over Paris.

Place du Trocadéro sits atop the Chaillot hill, flanked by the twin wings of the Palais de Chaillot. The square opens onto terraces overlooking the Jardins du Trocadéro, with tiered fountains cascading down toward the Seine and the Eiffel Tower beyond. It draws visitors for photographs and views, with street performers and vendors often present, and serves as a starting point for walks through the surrounding gardens.

A guided Louvre tour with reserved (skip-the-line) access, covering major works including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and pieces by Caravaggio and Michelangelo. An expert guide provides context and stories behind each masterpiece throughout the visit.

A 45-75 minute guided tour covering both the exterior and newly restored interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The guide explains the Gothic facade's symbols, flying buttresses, and rose windows, then leads guests inside to see the light-filled interior following its five-year post-fire restoration.

A 2-3 hour guided tour through the Louvre with a pre-reserved ticket for fast entry. The guide leads a route through the museum's most iconic works, including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, sharing the stories behind each. Guests can continue exploring independently after the guided portion ends.

Musée d'Orsay occupies a former Belle Époque railway station, its grand hall and glass roof forming a striking backdrop for the collection inside. The museum specializes in Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, alongside sculpture and decorative arts. Timed-entry tickets help manage visitor flow, and many describe the building itself, with its ornate architecture and large clock, as a highlight alongside the artwork.

Palais Garnier opened in 1875 as the primary home of the Paris Opera, designed by architect Charles Garnier in an opulent Beaux-Arts style. The building features a grand marble staircase, gilded interiors, and a ceiling painted by Marc Chagall above the auditorium. Visitors can tour the building during the day or attend ballet and opera performances.

Built by Louis XIV as a home for wounded soldiers, this landmark complex now houses the Musée de l'Armée and Napoleon's tomb beneath its gilded dome. The emperor's remains, returned from Saint Helena in 1840, were placed here in a ceremony known as the Retour des Cendres. Visitors can explore military history exhibits alongside the tomb itself.

The Grand Palais is a landmark exhibition hall known for its massive glass dome and grand architecture. It hosts rotating art exhibitions, drawing queues for popular shows. Visitors praise the building itself as much as the exhibitions, along with thoughtful curation and well-stocked museum shops. It stands directly across from the Petit Palais.

This landscaped garden links the Louvre to Place de la Concorde, offering tree-lined paths, fountains, and statues alongside a central café. Visitors can expect a peaceful escape amid manicured lawns and gravel walkways, with occasional attractions like a Ferris wheel. It's a popular spot for a quiet stroll or rest between museum visits.

Managed by the French Senate, this garden features landmarks such as the Médicis Fountain, the Orangerie, ornamental gates, statues and notable trees. Visitors can join guided tours, free horticulture courses, family-friendly trails and games, or explore the on-site Musée du Luxembourg and Davioud pavilion. A music kiosk and beehive school add to its varied attractions across the grounds.

Built for the 1900 World's Fair, this arched bridge links the Invalides quarter to the Champs-Élysées area near the Grand Palais. Its single steel span is adorned with gilded bronze sculptures, cherubs, and nymphs at each end, reflecting Belle Époque design. The bridge offers open views along the Seine and makes for a scenic stop while walking between riverbank landmarks.

Parc Monceau sits at 35 boulevard de Courcelles in the 8th arrondissement, reachable via the Monceau, Villiers and Courcelles metro stations. The park is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and offers shaded pathways for strolling. Certain allées are opened experimentally to leashed dogs, though swimming is prohibited in its protected biodiversity zone. Opening hours extend into the evening during the summer months.

The Musée de l'Orangerie houses Claude Monet's Grandes Décorations, immersive Nymphéas paintings displayed in oval rooms designed for the works. It also holds the Walter-Guillaume collection, featuring paintings by artists such as Renoir, Cézanne, and Picasso. Set in the Tuileries Garden, the museum offers guided tours, family workshops, and accessibility-adapted visits alongside its permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Built for Saint Louis, Sainte-Chapelle is a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of Rayonnant Gothic architecture within the Palais de la Cité. Its upper chapel is lined with towering stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes, illuminating the space in color. The Rose Window of the Apocalypse adds further detail to this soaring, light-filled interior. Tickets cost €22, with free entry for visitors under 26.

A 2-hour small-group guided tour of the Musée d'Orsay, housed in a former Beaux-Arts train station. The guide covers major works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne, and Degas, with skip-the-line entry and context on the Impressionist movement.

A 2-hour small-group guided tour of the Musée d'Orsay, housed in a former Beaux-Arts train station. The guide covers major works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne, and Degas, with skip-the-line entry and context on the Impressionist movement.

Place Vendôme is a grand, symmetrical square built in the late 17th century, framed by uniform stone facades. It is home to high-end jewelry houses and the Ritz hotel, giving the area a refined, upscale atmosphere. At its center stands a tall bronze column commemorating military victories. The square makes for a quiet, architecturally striking stop while exploring central Paris.

A one-hour evening cruise along the Seine, departing from Port de Suffren near the Eiffel Tower, taking in illuminated landmarks like the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Musée d'Orsay. There is no onboard guide; commentary is available via a downloadable app in over 10 languages, with background music setting the mood.

This guided visit provides entry to the Louvre along with an introduction to its permanent collections, from ancient antiquities to European masterpieces. A guide leads visitors through key galleries, offering context on the museum's history and highlighted works. Guided tours are also available through temporary exhibitions. Reservation is required, and is mandatory for all visitors between 1 July and 31 August 2026.

A roughly 2-hour dinner at Madame Brasserie, on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, with a seasonal menu created by chef Thierry Marx. The set menu includes a starter, main course(s), dessert, and drinks (champagne, wine, beer, or soft drinks). Small groups of up to 10 diners, with a choice of Eiffel Tower-view or Seine-view seating.

Rue de Rivoli is a long, arcaded street in the 1st arrondissement, running past the Louvre and Tuileries Garden. Its covered walkways shelter shops, souvenir stores, and cafés, making it popular for strolling regardless of weather. The street connects several major sights, and its uniform 19th-century architecture gives the area a distinctly historic Parisian feel.